Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-05-12
STUDYING GERMAN.
HOW MARK TWAIN USED TO TAKE
SIX LESSONS A WEEK.

Harrassing and Infuriating Study-A
Perplexed Old Professor and an Erratic
PupiI-Distressing Diversions-shrewd
Suspicion Among Friends.
Perhaps you remember the article on 1.-THE
Awful German Language" which is inserted
near the end of "The Tramp Abroad" The
article is said by those who thoroughly under
stand the science of that irregular, intricate
and strangely conducted language, TO be a
powerful criticism upon it, and one showing
an unusual knowledge and understanding of
the peculiarities of the language which Mark
Twain justly pronounces a "harrassing and
infuriating study" II is SO well done, displays
such an insight into the complexities Of mean-
ing and construction that the young man
says it is a mystery TO those who know Of the
authors methods Of acquiring the tongue,
making them wonder where and how he ever
learned 50 much. When Mark Twain, I'm con-
temptation Of visit abroad, decided to learn
German, he sent for the professor, a man
well known and respected in Hartford, a
patient though opinionated old gentleman,
crammed to his very hair with science and
grammar. During the preliminary arrange
ments be asked Mr.. Clemens how many les
sons a week he would take II think will
take six" was the deliberate answer. aOh,
but you cannot take six, said the professor.
at win be impossible for you TO study SO
much each day. Three would be quite
enough" But Mr.. Clemens assured him he
could take six and assuringly said, "Now, you
come every day, professor, and / will take
care of the rest. We shall get along all
rightD
The professor went, armed with grammars,
le1icons and commentaries, and seated in the
library secure from intrusion, began his
teaching. Mark Twain listened patiently for
while and then said: ayes, ] know. That
is all very interesting, but want to know
how to say How do you do' Good morn
ing and such things. Tell me how you say
the names Of the desk and table and chairs,
you know. Let US talk about the things in
the room. There is time enough for gram
mar, is there not, later, after can talkl7 IL
was before the days of the "Natural Method"
and the good old teacher stared with aston
ishment. He said such digressions would
never do, and pinned his pupil down to the
text with most creditable perseverance.
DISTRESSING DIVERSIONS
At every lesson there was ingenious, and
TO the conscientious professor most distressing
diversions, and the lessons were none too
the professor should,come every day. When
there was no lesson, as began to be fire.
quently the case, be managed to get great
deal Of information and entertainment out of
the conversation of the professor, and in turn
so interested and amused the old gentleman
that after few futile attempts to stick to
the grammar he gave it UP and shook his
sides in hearty enjoyment of the drolleries of
his unmanageable scholar
One day, when the weather was fine. Mark
Twain endured short quarter of an hour in
the library, and then throwing his books
aside said: Come professor, it is too pleasant
to stay in the house, let's go out into the
garden" With his conscience troubling him,
but unable to resist chat in the sunshine
and his pupils happiest mood, he followed to
a seat In an arbor among the roses which
bloomed on every side. ''Letis have cigar"
said the host; and when the smoke curled
away over their heads Mr. Clemens said,
"Therel This is something lilel This is my
way of studying German Now we will talk
about the flowers. How do you call these
roses, that vine, this tree?"
DIR. Clemens insisted upon paying for six
lessons a week, but to those who know of his
erratic and at times original manner of study.
it scanned impossible that he could learn any,
thing Of the language he desired to acquire.
When. however, his subsequent fuency in
conversation and his insight into the written
language appeared, there was a shrewd sus-
picion among the friends of the old professor
that he procured another, one more pliable
and ready to conform to his ideas and adding
thereto. when, no one can imagine, study of
the dry details Of the language, is now able to
discuss it in manner possible to few
foreigners. So much for the story as it is
told in society circles here. 1t is certainly
Observation-Disclosures Thayer McCray in
Springfield Homestead.